I have talked on this blog before about places to get books that are free or low cost. Yes, I love getting a bargain. Plus I think sometimes I end up reading authors that are engaging and have written good books that I would have missed.

But do you know about the Little Free Library concept?

Perhaps you have been somewhere where you have seen a pile of books with the sign “lending library” or “take one/ leave one”. I know that I have seen them at bed and breakfasts or smaller vacation hotels. There was even one in my husband’s office. I think it is a great way to share books.

Have you seen a Little Free Library in your neighbor’s yard? Yes, I meant that – in your neighbor’s yard. Well if you haven’t seen one then you need to check out this idea.

What a great use for a recycled newspaper box.

There is an organization that promotes the concept of putting a Little Free Library in your yard. The idea is that you put a box in your yard with a sign inviting people to come and borrow and leave a book for others. Here is a video explanation

According to their web site, the Little Free Library organization started when in 2009, one man decided to make a small box to honor his mother’s memory. Placing the box in his yard with a sign that read “Free Books”, he placed some books in the box. That box caught the eye of another man and the two men had a conversation about how the memorial could become a widespread social enterprise. And thus Little Free Library was started.

To read more about the Little Free Library movement, please go to their web site. There you can find out about movement and its goals and where the little free libraries can be found. One of their original goals was to have 2,510 Little Free Libraries. (the number comes from the number of libraries started by Andrew Carnegie) This goal was surpassed in August of 2012. As of January, 2014, there were nearly 15,000 Little Free Libraries in the world.

On Pinterest, you can also find pictures of some of the Little Free Libraries. People have used many creative means to have a library out in the public. To see them, sign into Pinterest and search Little Free Libraries. www.pinterest.com

So, what do you think of this idea? Have you seen one in your neighborhood? Have you ever used one?

Would that be a great summer project to work on with your kids?

Thanks for reading!

A great way to get books to kids,meet your neighbors, and have something to read at a moment’s notice!